Thoughts For Thursday + Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale Picks + Favorite Swimsuit on Sale!

Who is ready for the long weekend? I know I am!  My parents just got in town yesterday so I am excited to spend some time with them!

Frances Moon had her last day of school yesterday.  She of course insisted on hot pink lipstick, because clearly the last day of school requires lipstick.

and just for fun her picture from the first day:)  It is crazy how much she has grown up over the past 9 months! 

One of my most favorite one piece suits is now on sale!  use code SUNNYSALE for 30% this style.  I love the halter style it is super flattering.  Marysia suits are on the pricey side but well worth the money, especially when you can get them on sale!  I included a picture of me wearing the exact same style in a different pattern to see how it fits, I am wearing a size small.

Halter One Piece

This style is also on sale as well.

Antibes

I borrowed my friend Krsytine's sunglasses the other night and loved them! Such fun glasses.

Le Specs 

The Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale started yesterday.  Lots of major mark downs!  Sizes tend to go fast so shop early for the best selection.

This RT top is now 40% off.  I am wearing a size 4.   I love the pink color and it looks great with white and blue jeans.

My Equipment Dress is also 40% off.  I am wearing a small.

My parents gave me these wedges for my birthday and I can't say enough great things about them.  They are the perfect height, super comfortable and go with everything.  Now they are under $100.

Wedges

I also really love this style Equipment Blouse.  I have it in the turquoise color but I am tempted to get the white.  It runs on the large side so size down, I have an XS.

A few other awesome deals.  Just scroll through to see them.  I will compile a list of kid favorites too this weekend from the sale!

We are having our neighbors over for dinner tonight and cooking some fish Matt caught this week.  I have a huge container of blueberries from the Farmer's Market and I am planning to make this Blueberry Cobbler for dessert!  It is so good with a little vanilla ice cream on top!

I just downloaded Mary Kay Andrew's new book, The Weekenders to read.  Any other must reads for the Summer?

As the school year draws to a close I have been feeling so sentimental thinking about the first day of school and how fast time is going by!  This quote is too true.

Happy almost weekend!!

The Ultimate Veggie Lasagna + 5 Off Shoulder Dresses Under $100

Get ready for the best lasagna recipe ever.  As Matt and I were eating this we both kept looking at each other nodding,  going this is SO good.  I mean it was meat free and honestly better than most meat lasagnas I have had.  I know lasagnas can be time consuming but this one is worth the time.  It makes a huge dish so you can have leftovers for days.  I actually ended up taking some over to our neighbors and we still had plenty left for leftovers.  This would be a great dish to make and take half to a new mom.  This can all be assembled ahead of time and then just baked at dinner.  

A few tips: don't skip the salting and drying of the veggies it helps get the moisture out so your lasagna won't be soggy.  You could easily sub kale or spinach for the swiss chard if you wanted.  Do not use no boil noodles, it will make the dish soggy, you need to boil your own.  Pile on the cheese.  It may seem like a lot of layers but that is what we loved about it.  This is such a great way to use up your Farmer's Market produce!

Enjoy!

 F A R M E R S   M A R K E T   L A S A G N A 

adapted via Everyday Magazine

- 2 zucchinis sliced length wise thinly

- 2 squash sliced length wise very thinly

- 1 small eggplant peeled and sliced length wise thinly

- 1 bunch swiss chard stems removed and chopped

- 1 jar roasted red peppers

- 1 16 oz container ricotta cheese

- 2 eggs

- 2 cup Parmesan Cheese

- 1 bunch basil leaves chopped

- 4 cups marinara sauce ( I used 2 24 oz jars, I really recommend Raos)

- 16 lasagna noodles

- 4 cups mozzarella cheese

- 1 ball fresh mozzarella

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place sliced zucchini in a colander and sprinkle with salt to cover.   Let sit 20 mins then remove to paper towels and pat dry.  Repeat this step with the eggplant and squash.  

In a bowl mix the ricotta cheese, 1 cup parmesan cheese, the eggs, basil, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper.  Mix all together.

Spread one cup marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking dish.  Top with 4 noodles.  Top with zucchini and roasted red pepper then 4 more noodles.  Spread 1/2 the ricotta mixture and 1.5 cups marinara sauce and top with 2 cups mozzarella.   Top with 1/2 the swiss chard, all the eggplant, 4 more noodles, and 1.5 cups marinara sauce.  Top with yellow squash, and remaining swiss chard.  Spread the remaining ricotta and top with 2 cups mozzarella and 4 more noddles.  Spread remaining marinara if there is any left and top with fresh mozzarella, and 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese.  Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes.  if the cheese starts to brown too quickly cover with foil halfway through.  Let stand at least 15 minutes before slicing. 

............................................

Last night I went to a fun Pop-Up for Ibu Movement.  They sell so many cool handmade items from impoverished parts of the world.  The event is still going on at Zero George for any locals who want to stop by.

I wore this bright orange off shoulder dress.

The orange color is sold out but it is still available in a pretty pink color and it's under $80!

Off Shoulder Dress also just restocked HERE + Earrings (on sale) + Vince wedges (they are sold out similar HERE)

I rounded up a few other Off Shoulder Options all under $100.

Wayf Stripe Dress

White Off Shoulder

Red Off Shoulder Dress (only $24!)

Tie Sleeve Off Shoulder Dress

Bright Yellow Dress (also only $24)

JCrew Off Shoulder Dress

This one is right over $100 but I wanted to share it because it is the dress version of the blouse I have. 

Style Files Vol 9 | The Statement Earring

I tend to go thru phases of what type of jewelry I like to wear.  Right now I am big into statement earrings for Summer.  It is such fun way to dress up an outfit.   I love all the bright colored ones to add a pop of color to whatever I am wearing. 

I have especially been loving tassel earrings lately.  I have a weakness for anything with tassels and embroidery so clearly this outfit makes me happy. 

Blouse | Sunglasses | Earrings | Tote | Jeans | Flip Flops | Bracelet

This Chambray Blouse is such a great light weight Summer blouse.  I love the embroidery detail. I am wearing a size small for reference.  

The earrings I am wearing just came out in two new colors.    

Mine are the beaded version but these are the same with tassels.  I love that they are light weight.  I can wear them all day and they don't hurt or get heavy.  They are only $36 too, such a great price!

Pink | Mint

These Hoops are another pair I purchased a few months ago and I have been loving them.  They are also light weight and I like the turquoise color.

Hoops

I am wearing the below paired with this Embroidered Dress

Nordstrom has a great selection of statement earrings. The majority of these are under $40 too.  An easy and inexpensive way to dress up an outfit.  A few I am currently loving.

Mint Tassel | Pink Tassels | Gold Fringe | Stars | Turquoise
Coral Drops | Turquoise Drops |  Coral Fringe | Beaded Colorblock | Golden Hour | Hoops
KS Drops | Gray Stone | Beaded fringe | Aztec | Pyramid

I also wanted to share a new to me jewelry line called Nakamoi.  I was shocked when I saw the prices all the pieces are under $60!  I really liked so many of them.  They are unique and at that price point would make great gifts.

ONE | TWO | THREE | RAINBOW EARRINGS | GOLD EARRINGS
FOUR | FIVE | SIX | SEVEN

Also don't miss out Nordstrom's Designer Clearance sale started today.  You can shop all the mark downs HERE.

So many fabulous pieces that will not break the bank.

Thank you to Nordstrom for partnering on this post.

Scenes From Our Weekend

Good Monday Morning!  This is the last full week of school for both kids, so I have lots I hope to accomplish in my few free mornings!

Last Wednesday I ate lunch at Co with my friend Ashley.  Co is always so tasty.  Charlotte friends they just opened one at Park Road Shopping Center!   This time we tired the Mango Summer Rolls and Chicken Salad and both were delish!  the Mango Rolls were served with the most amazing peanut dipping sauce.

Shells + Stripes ( I am wearing a size small for reference) also HERE for Happy Hour.

Friday night Matt worked on his boat and the kids and I watched Full House- our favorite show to watch together.  Matt and I enjoyed a dirty martini with blue cheese stuffed olives.  It is one of our favorite weekend drinks.

Saturday the kids and I hit up the Farmer's Market with some friends.  Of course we stopped at Glazed first.  We tried two new doughnuts they had, Blueberry Ginger and Smores.  They both were pretty incredible.

Someone was clearly excited about her doughnut.

Lots of gorgeous produce from the Farmers Market.  I have never cooked purple cauliflower before but it was too pretty to pass up!   This tote is the perfect size for toting all my Farmer's Market goodies.  It comes in 6 different colors and all the totes are made by women who have overcome adverse situations.

Mamuye Tote

That afternoon we took all the kids to the pool.  My cover-up was recently reduced and this cooler is the best.  It is the perfect size for snacks.  We use it all the time.

Cover-up also here | Sunglasses | Bathing Suit (on sale) | Cooler 

Another day another bathing suit.

Ice Cream Bathing Suit

Matt participated in a fishing contest and won for the flounder division!   This was his winning fish! 

Sterling couldn't wait to get his hands on it too.  

Sterling had a sleepover Saturday night with his best friend Oliver.  They are just the cutest together.

Sunday Frances and I headed to church.

Wearing Equipment Dress + Hyla Dewitt Necklace + Tote

Sunday night we had some friends over for dinner and fried up the flounder Matt caught from his tournament.  I always think cole slaw goes perfectly with fried fish so I set off to Pinterest to find a recipe.  Well the first one that popped up was the Chick Fila recipe.  I loved the Chick Fila slaw and I was so bummed when they stopped serving it (and the brownie).   I made the slaw and I have to say it was awesome and tasted just like the Chick Fila version.  I actually shredded my own cabbage but if you wanted it just like Chick Fila's version I would buy the chopped cabbage bag.

What I wore:

A few people have asked about my dining room chairs and these chairs are actually at my parent's condo.  They have been in town quite a bit recently and have floor to ceiling mirrors so I usually just snap a picture when I stop by there.  

Tee Shirt (wearing size 1) + Necklaces + Jeans (on sale ) + Purse same style different color + Shoes (use code BRTAKE40 to save 40%)

Have a wonderful Monday!